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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
determines the type of our dreams, and the differences of scenery, in dreams of the same type, are probably due to the differences in the quality, or intensity, of the feeling itself, e.g., when the pressure on the heart is slight, there will be but slight fear, and the resulting dream will also be only slightly frightful in its aspect.
Dreaming, it will be observed, takes place at a time. which is marked by the withdrawal of attention from the physical world. In deep sleep, the ego withdraws itself away from the plane of action and sensation, although it still remains within call. Hence, when an antagonistic sensation opposes the state of tranquillity and repose, will reacts on it and rouses the individual consciousness into activity. This it accomplishes by forcing the excitation down on to the plane of understanding, which gathers it up in the moulds of its thought-forms, thus enabling the soul to perceive its feelings in a pictorial way.
Now, the function of intelligence in the body is to preside over its actions so as to preserve it from harm; but, generally, experience renders its vigilance unnecessary whenever and wherever the surroundings are familiar. When its vigilance is not needed for adjusting the relations of the body with other bodies in the universe, it turns away its attention from the outside world, and, like the captain of a ship, leaves the bridge when the danger is over. This happens more completely in deepsleep when the management of affairs is left in the hands of the involuntary system, with will watching over noddingly. The mechanism of life is sufficient under
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